Police still hunting three members of IS 'wolf pack' cell

KUALA LUMPUR: The other three members of the Islamic State (IS) "wolf pack"cell that planned to assassinate four VIPs and launch large-scale attacks on non-Muslim houses of worship are believed to be still in the country, says the nation's top cop.

"We are still tracking them down.

"Those with information on their whereabouts are urged to share them with the police," said Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador after a handing-over ceremony in Bukit Aman on Wednesday (May 15).

The suspects are Malaysians Syazani Mahzan, 21, and Muhamad Nuurul Amin Azizan, 27, from Bedong, Kedah, as well as Indonesian Fatir Tir, whose last known address was in Banting, Selangor.

A special ops by the Counter Terrorism Division (E8) had successfully foiled terror and assassination plots following a series of raids between May 5 and May 7 in Terengganu and Klang Valley.

“They were planning to carry out their plans in the first week of Ramadan to ‘avenge’ the death of Muhammad Adib,” Abdul Hamid told a press conference at Bukit Aman on Monday (May 13).

Their reasons given for targeting the VIPs were the supposed failure to “protect the sanctity of Islam”, he added.

Muhammad Adib was a fireman who died during a temple fracas months earlier. There is an ongoing inquest into his death.

Regarding former policeman Md Ali Amir Batcha's claims of injustice in 1997 when he was charged with corruption, the IGP said that he would consider meeting him.

"Even though his case was a long time ago, his recent comments show that he is confident that he did no wrong.

"However, our records showed that justice was administered.

"I might call him over to ask about his issues. I view this with an open mind and will hear him out. Perhaps there are new issues he would bring up," he said.

Md Ali Amir, in a press conference in 2018, claimed that he was a victim of a conspiracy. He said he lost his job and pension as a result of this.